Socioeconomic and behavioural factors associated with household waste mismanagement: evidence from West Java, Indonesia

Purpose This study examines associations between household waste mismanagement and structural, behavioural, social and socioeconomic factors, focussing on access to waste services, environmental awareness, digital exposure, and perceived social norms. Design/methodology/approach Household survey data were collected from Bandung City, Bandung Regency, and Garut Regency, West Java. After excluding incomplete observations, 289 households were analyzed using binary logistic regression with HC3 robust standard errors and average marginal effects. Sensitivity and influence diagnostics were conducted to assess the stability of the estimates. Findings Access to waste services showed the strongest and most consistent negative association with waste mismanagement (ß = −3.127; OR = 0.044; p < 0.001; AME = −0.218). Environmental awareness was also negatively associated with waste mismanagement (AME = −0.083; p = 0.003), although the association was weaker in sensitivity analysis. Digital exposure showed a smaller negative association in the main model (AME = −0.035; p = 0.034), but was not statistically significant in the sensitivity analysis. Perceived social norms, socioeconomic and demographic controls and interaction terms were not statistically significant. Originality/value The study integrates structural, behavioural, social and socioeconomic factors within a single household-level model. The findings highlight access to waste services as the most consistent factor associated with household waste mismanagement, while indicating specification sensitivity for digital exposure. The study provides a basis for comparative, longitudinal, and economic research on household waste management.